HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-04-15, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15,1992.
Use the owner's manual to keep your car in shape
Motorists may crave high ticket
cars and more expensive options,
but economy is still a premium
point.
And, because it is, a record three
out of four motorists pull up to self-
serve gasoline pumps - all the more
reason why smart motorists make
their own routine inspections.
“What gas station attendants
once performed routinely now must
be done by the owner,” says James
P. Steiger, a director of the Techni
cal Affairs Division of the Motor
Vehicle Manufacturers Association
(MVMA).
“However, car and truck produc
ers have made life simpler by
reducing the frequency for such
routine maintenance as oil changes
and spark plug replacements,”
Steiger says.
“In many cases, the requirement
for lubrication or replacement of
points and condensers has been
eliminated. Most cars today don't
even have a carburetor, and many
of today's drivers can't even
remember when brakes didn't self
adjust.”
Steiger reminds motorists that
their best bets for slaying out of
trouble and keeping cars in peak
operating condition are contained
in the vehicle's owner manual.
“The manual may be one of the
best circulated and most ignored
publications in the nation, or even
the world,” he says.
The manual tells you that the
crankcase oil should be changed on
most vehicles every 7,500 miles
under normal driving conditions.
More frequent oil changes are
recommended for engines with tur
bochargers and cars that tow trail
ers or often travel dusty, unpaved
roads.
“Oil is the life blood of your
vehicle,” Steiger says. “It is espe
cially critical to keep your oil fresh
and full in today's smaller engines,
machined under much closer toler
ances than the big power plants of
the ’60s and ’70s.”
Since the start of the ’80s, vehi
cle manufacturers have recom
mended the use of an “SF”
classified oil. In addition, motorists
should check their owner's manual
for the use of a higher viscosity oil
in the summer.
Spark plugs wear much longer,
according to Steiger, because, with
the use of unleaded detergent gaso
line, there is no lead or carbon
buildup on the plugs.
While the carburetor is becoming
a relic, it is vital to keep those fuel
injectors clean. Some pumps adver-
Transmission trouble
Your car is acting funny and you
think it may be transmission trou
ble. Have an experienced repair
shop, preferably the one with which
you normally deal, take it for a
drive before you drive anywhere
else for repairs.
In just a few minutes behind the
wheel, a transmission specialist
tise an injector cleaning additive
contained in the gasoline.
On the subject of pump labelling,
MVMA suggests that you make
certain of the ingredients in the
fuel. Some additives are not de
sirable.
usually can determine whether the
trouble is in the transmission, drive
line or possibly the engine.
Not all transmission problems are
major, says Car Care Council. A
leak does not necessarily indicate
the need for a tear-down. Burned
fluid often indicates the need for
nothing more than a change of fluid
and filter.
SIGN OF THE TIMES!
Robert
EVANS
Chevrolet Oldsmobile Ltd. 7
JLULUJ
Robert
At Rob Evans
Chevrolet Oldsmobile
Low operating
costs on a
New Vehicle
ggo
Metro»Tracker*Storm
CAR & TRUCK CENTRE! EVANS
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Where Hwy. 8 meets Hwy. 21 in Goderich 524-7314
ZULU Chevrolet Oldsmobile Ltd.<____________ __ ______________7
you can count on
3 Year/60000 km Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty. No Deductible.
1992 Tracker
4x4 Convertible
#92-152
4 wheel drive, automatic, power steering, AM/FM
stereo.
Lease q.oo/
for only............ Mf I Jr per month
Buy $moa*37*
for only............. Wf MF per month
Lease $oAft*4o/
for only JF MF Cf Per
Buy
for only Per
month
1992 Metro 2
Door Hatchback
#92-077
Automatic, AM/FAA cassette stereo.
Lease $4op.oo
for only V per month
Buy $2Afi-48'
for only .Xi MF wf per month
1992 Metro 4
Door Notchback
#92-156
Automatic, AM/FM stereo cassette, floor mats.
/ O.A.C. Plus applicable taxes. Deposit requirement
first & tost month's payment plus applicable taxes.
Prices based on current G.M. programs and subject to change
without notice. Based on 48 month lease.
r "Your key to Total Sales and Service Satisfaction"
Representatives: Peter Illeman, Don Fuller, Ron Harris, Rob Evans.
KAJI X Mon. - Fri. 8 - 8, Sal. 8 - 4,
5 7 Aa > 3 ■ A 74 Kin9ston st• Goderich
t WFI’T ■ Mr « Where Hwy. 8 meets Hwy. 21
...........■....... .......... —— ..................................................... ..... ............
----- w
*Buy prices based on $1500 down, 48 months financing at 7.9%.
O.A.C. Price includes freight & all taxes.
___
-
RobertEVANS IsodeddS}
Chevrolet Oldsmobile Ltd. M I